Vt. announces new public health advisory for schools
The U.S. and Vermont flags fly in the breeze outside the town office in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
With families in full preparation mode for the new school year, public health officials in multiple states have issued new recommendations for local districts in this latest phase of the pandemic. This comes after the CDC issued updated recommendations in response to the impact of the delta variant of COVID-19, especially on case growth in parts of the south and west.
Vermont officials have said the state has still been able to limit case increases and keep hospitalizations low, owing to its nation-leading vaccination rate — which is at 84.1% for its vaccine-eligible population. Speaking at a Tuesday press conference, Education Secretary Dan French said that was a major factor in Vermont’s new recommendations.
“I’m pleased to say today, we will be able to start the school year as predicted, with full in-person instruction and nominal mitigation recommendations,” French said. He added, “As we did last year, we will need to leverage local and state partnerships to keep our communities and our schools safe from COVID-19.”
The state’s new advisory for schools includes the following:
For the first few weeks of school, it is recommended that districts require all students and staff to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status.
After the first few weeks of school, it is recommended that schools require masks only until 80% of students have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (The state will advise schools on how to determine their vaccination rates).
Once at least 80% of students in a school have received their first dose, it is recommended the school require masks only for unvaccinated students and staff.
Masks may be removed for instructional or operational considerations, but masks are required for all passengers on school buses, per CDC regulations.
Stay home when you’re sick.
Other mitigation strategies include voluntary COVID-19 testing and a contact tracing program, French said. The complete advisory for schools will be published online this week, with most schools opening later this month.
To assist with the vaccination targets in the new guidance, the state will offer school-based vaccine clinics throughout Vermont. Though the focus will be on 12-18-year-olds, those clinics will be open to the public, officials said Tuesday. More details are expected next week.
— Gareth Henderson
